Hagadone newsrooms earn regional honors for excellence in community journalism

SALEM, Ore. — Journalists from Hagadone Communications were recognized as some of the best in the Pacific Northwest this week, earning multiple honors at the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association's annual conference and the Pacific Northwest News Publishing Contest.

This year's competition brought together newspapers from Idaho, Oregon and Washington, marking a new chapter in regional journalism after the Newspaper Association of Idaho partnered with the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association to hold a combined annual contest. Over 1,000 entries were judged across numerous editorial, photographic, design, and advertising categories, making it one of the largest and most competitive newspaper contests in the western United States.

The expanded competition was created to promote higher standards of journalism by providing newspapers across the region a chance to compete against a wider group of peers while recognizing excellence in enterprise reporting, investigative journalism, photography, design and community service.

One of the convention's most prestigious honors was awarded to Coeur d'Alene Press reporter Kaye Thornbrugh, who received an A-Mark Prize for Investigative Reporting for her comprehensive coverage of the February 2025 legislative town hall involving Teresa Borrenpohl.

The award included a $2,000 cash prize for Thornbrugh and an additional $1,000 award to The Coeur d'Alene Press newsroom, recognizing both outstanding individual reporting and the newsroom's commitment to investigative journalism.

The A-Mark Foundation, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting investigative journalism and First Amendment rights, collaborates with state press associations to offer $15,000 annually in investigative reporting awards in participating states. These awards honor journalism that shows exceptional initiative, accountability, public service, and meaningful impact in local communities.

In addition to Thornbrugh's journalism award, Hagadone Communications publications earned recognition in various editorial categories.

The Coeur d'Alene Press earned: 

• Third place: Baker Family Public Service Journalism; Kaye Thornbrugh. 

• Second place: Best Section; North Idaho LiveWell; May 2025 edition; Coeur d'Alene Press newsroom. 

• Third place: Best Edition; Canfield Mountain Tragedy; Kaye Thornbrugh. 

The Bonner County Daily Bee received: 

• Third place: Best News Photo; "Local Baby Box blessed, second in state". 

• Third place: Overall newspaper design.

Clint Schroeder, president of Hagadone Communications and the Newspaper Association of Idaho, stated that the expanded regional contest demonstrates a commitment by newspaper leaders across the Northwest to enhance the quality of local journalism continually. 

"When newspapers compete against the very best in the region, everyone benefits," Schroeder said. "It challenges our journalists to think bigger, report deeper, write more clearly, and tell stories that make a meaningful difference in the communities they serve. That spirit of continuous improvement ultimately strengthens local journalism across the Pacific Northwest."

Schroeder said the recognition is especially significant because it occurs during a period when community journalism faces unprecedented challenges, yet continues to be one of the most trusted sources of local information.

"Community journalism has never been more important than it is today," he said. "Every day our reporters cover city councils, county commissions, school boards, public safety, business development, education, and the people who make our communities unique. Those stories often go uncovered by anyone else. Without strong local journalism, communities lose transparency, accountability, and a vital part of their civic fabric."

He emphasized that the awards are not the goal of the work.

"Our journalists don't come to work looking for trophies or recognition," Schroeder said. "They come to work because they believe our readers deserve factual, balanced, independent reporting. Recognition from our peers is deeply appreciated because it validates the quality of that work, but our responsibility begins and ends with serving our communities."

Schroeder said Hagadone Communications continues to invest in experienced local journalists because trustworthy local reporting remains essential to strong communities.

"Strong communities are built on informed citizens," he said. "When residents understand the issues affecting their neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and local governments, they are better equipped to make decisions, participate in civic life, and hold leaders accountable. That is the role local newspapers have fulfilled for generations, and it remains our mission today."

He mentioned that even as the journalism industry keeps changing, the company's dedication stays the same.

"The platforms may change, the technology will continue to evolve, but our purpose remains the same," Schroeder said. "Our responsibility is to earn our readers' trust every day by producing journalism that is accurate, fair, relevant, and rooted in the communities we proudly serve."

The awards acknowledge the collective efforts of reporters, editors, photographers, designers, and production teams across Hagadone Communications whose work informs readers throughout Idaho and the Inland Northwest, while also emphasizing the lasting importance of independent community journalism.